Friday, December 6, 2024
Home Diabetes Researchers unveil impact of east Asian gene variant on type 2 diabetes risk

Researchers unveil impact of east Asian gene variant on type 2 diabetes risk

by Medical Xpress
0 comment


Metabolic seahorse assays revealed alterations in glycolysis function and oxidative phosphorylation in the presence of the PAX4 p.Arg192His or p.Tyr186X variants. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41860-z

It was earlier discovered that a variation in the PAX4 gene specifically predisposes East Asians to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), increasing lifetime risk by up to 1.8 times. A new study, now published in the journal Nature Communications, reveals for the first time how an East Asian-specific PAX4 gene variant, R192H, impacts the development and function of beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells play a vital role in producing insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and helps prevent serious complications in diabetic patients.

The insights gained from this study pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions and personalized approaches in and management, marking a significant step in the ongoing fight against diabetes.

T2D is a chronic metabolic disease that impacts more than 500 million individuals in East Asia. In Singapore, where people of East Asian descent constitute the largest ethnic group (approximately 75% of the population), this PAX4 R192H gene variant is present in 10% of the population, increasing the risk of diabetes specific to these East Asian PAX4 R192H gene carriers.

Led by Dr. Adrian Teo, Senior Principal Scientist at A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), the international research team consisted of cross-disciplinary scientists from IMCB, National University of Singapore (NUS), Stanford University and the University of Oxford, as well as clinicians from National University Hospital (NUH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

The team used two types of cells—human pancreatic cells and donor-derived human induced (hiPSCs)—to study the role of the PAX4 R192H variant in the development and function of pancreatic beta cells. Comprehensive molecular and genetic analyses revealed that the PAX4 R192H variant results in defective beta cells with lower functionality, leading to reduced insulin production.

International research team unveils impact of east Asian gene variant on type 2 diabetes risk
PAX4 p.Arg192His and p.Tyr186X donor-derived hiPSCs have perturbations in differentiation towards SC-islets. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41860-z

Collaborating with researchers from Stanford University and the University of Oxford, the team demonstrated that correcting the PAX4 R192H variant through gene-editing techniques can reverse some of these defects.

Additionally, human clinical studies conducted by the NUS, NUH and SGH team found that healthy individuals carrying the PAX4 R192H variant secreted significantly less insulin. This suggests that even before the onset of T2D, these individuals exhibited signs of diminished beta cell function, which are crucial for insulin production and blood sugar regulation.

This study provides new insight into the genetic influences on T2D specific to East Asian populations, which could help advance the development of therapeutic solutions to fight diabetes in Singapore. The research team is also looking into the possibility of diagnosing and editing the PAX4 R192H gene variant to restore insulin content in the for better patient outcomes.

“This study is the first to reveal how the East Asian-specific PAX4 R192H impacts human pancreatic cells and contributes to diabetes risk. Collaboration with our clinician partners remains key to the success of this research, and these partnerships will aid in identifying better interventions for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

“We are now investigating gene therapy to edit the PAX4 R192H to assess its potential in mitigating the increased diabetes risk,” said Dr. Teo, Senior Principal Scientist, A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) and senior author of the study.

“It’s truly exciting to add another piece to our understanding of how develops in humans. This study is particularly significant as it stems from an observation made over 10 years ago. It highlights the crucial role large-scale in Asia play in advancing our knowledge of human biology, emphasizing that we cannot fully rely on animal studies to comprehend the causes of human diseases,” said Prof Tai E. Shyong, Senior Consultant, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, NUH, and senior co-author of the study.

More information:
Hwee Hui Lau et al, PAX4 loss of function increases diabetes risk by altering human pancreatic endocrine cell development, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41860-z

Citation:
Researchers unveil impact of east Asian gene variant on type 2 diabetes risk (2024, June 14)
retrieved 14 June 2024
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-unveil-impact-east-asian-gene.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





Source link

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Edtior's Picks

Latest Articles

All Rights reserved, site designed by Yellohost.co.za